Frequently Asked Questions:
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- What does counselling do?
- What happens during a counselling session?
- How would I know if it would be helpful to me?
- What would happen once I was referred to the counselling team?
- How often can I see someone from the counselling team?
- I am concerned for my children, can you support them too?
- Is counselling confidential?
- How can I contact the counselling team?
First and foremost, counselling works by giving you the chance to be heard. Your counsellor will give you time to talk, cry, shout or just think. It is an opportunity to look at a problem in a different way with someone who will explore your opinions with you, and respect your decisions.
What happens during a counselling session?
We will arrange to see you on an individual basis and we will talk through any of the issues or experiences that are giving you concern. Every counsellor has their own way of working, but broadly speaking the counsellor will help you work through the following three steps:
1. Exploring your experiences – the nature of your problems and what impact they are having on you. The history of how your problems arose and what changes you would like to see.
2. Understanding your experiences – why you are struggling with these problems and what may be preventing you from overcoming them.
3. Tackling your difficulties – finding the strength and resources to try and resolve your difficulties, or at least make the bearable.
How would I know if it would be helpful to me?
None of us can know for sure, but if it turns out not to be helpful to you, you are not obliged to continue seeing someone.
What would happen once I was referred to the counselling team?
Once we know that you might be interested in seeing someone from the team, we will arrange for one of the counsellors employed by St Catherine’s, to see you.
They will spend time getting to know you and the difficulties you are experiencing. They will find out practical issues such as when and where you could see someone and then they will agree with you whether you want support, and if you do, what kind of support that might be.
Finally they decide who in the team they think you will best get on with and organise for them to contact you and arrange to meet.
How often can I see someone from the counselling team?
For patients and their families we initially offer 6 sessions. We appreciate that we need to be flexible and work around treatment and hospital appointments. Towards the end of the sessions we would review with you the need for further sessions.
I am concerned for my children, can you support them too?
St Catherine's work with children of secondary school age on a one to one basis. Where children younger than that require support, our counsellors can support the family and carers of the child and will refer to other more specialised organisations, Winston's Wish in West Sussex or Jigsaw4u which cover Crawley and Surrey.
Is counselling confidential?
Any details that you share with the counselling department remain confidential with the Hospice team unless otherwise requested.
How can I contact the counselling team?
You can telephone directly on 01293 447343.
Initially, calls will be handled by the Social Support Services Coordinator who will pass your details on to a member of the counselling team.
If you call out of hours or when the line is busy, you will be automatically diverted to our confidential voicemail facility. Please leave a message so we may return your call.
Alternatively you can speak to any member of the hospice team who will forward your details on to us.